I once wrote a story about maple syrup for a California magazine. After I submitted it, the puzzled editor called with a question.
“You keep talking about sugar bushes,” she said. “But doesn’t sap come from trees?”
Yes, I conceded, explaining that “sugar bush” is a term for a cluster of trees.
“So shouldn’t we call it a sugar forest? Or a maple forest?” the editor asked, logically enough.
Technically, I guess. But it just isn’t. I suppose some things just don’t translate beyond our corner of North America.
Whatever you call it—a sugar bush, sugar shack, pancake house, cabane à sucre—its time has come again, as sure a sign of spring as the return of songbirds. Looking to get your fix of seasonal sweetness? Here are a few ideas. (A word to the wise: Check their websites or call in advance to make sure the sap is running, as it all depends on the weather.)
Maple in the County
Want to combine your sugar bush adventures with a bit of winery touring? Head to Maple in the County, the two-day celebration of all things maple in Prince Edward County (March 28 and 29).
Vermont Maple Open House Weekend
I know it’s sacrilegious to say this in many parts of Canada, but our friends to the south make maple syrup, too. And dozens of Vermont sugar shacks are throwing open their doors during Maple Open House Weekend (March 28 and 29).
Cabanes à sucre
Looking for a sugar shack in la belle province? La Cabanes à sucre du Québec lists contact information and website addresses for about 200, including 14 in the Outaouais, 44 in the Laurentians and 17 in the Eastern Townships (in French only). If you’re heading to the Quebec City region, the local tourism bureau has a good list of local sugar bushes. The Montreall.com website recently highlighted its five favourite sugar shacks around Montreal. Still looking? Here’s a comprehensive directory from the Quebec provincial tourist board.
Festival of the Maples
Lanark County bills itself as the “Maple Syrup Capital of Canada.” Find a great map to the county’s many sugar bushes at the Lanark and District Maple Syrup Producers Association’s website. For the scoop on the grand finale of the Festival of the Maples, which takes place in Perth on April 25, click over to the Perth and District Chamber of Commerce.
Ontario destinations
The Ontario Maple Syrup Producers Association lists pancake houses throughout the province. And a recent post on the Ontario Culinary Tourism Alliance website has some good tips on a variety of Ontario sugar bushes, but even more fun: there are maple recipes! I dare you to try Maple Ginger Parsnip Cake. If you do, let me know how it tastes. (Full disclosure: I loathe parsnips.)
The in-town option
No wheels? Limited time? Why not head to Ottawa’s own urban sugar bush? (You didn’t know we had one, did you?) Yes, the Vanier Museopark is home to a sugar shack that’s hosting a maple sugar festival from March 23 to 29. It’s also open every weekend from 9am to 2pm until the end of April. You can even get there on the #5 OC Transpo bus.
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